This election, there are two constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first talks about changing the way charter schools are approved.

The other is about how the state does business. The ballot question says it will allow the state to save taxpayer funds through multi year real estate rental agreements.

It would apply to the state Properties Commission, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Labor.

GPB's Ellen Reinhardt is joined by Josh Belinfonte to talk about the amendment and what it would mean to the state if it passes. He is an attorney well-versed in state government. He served as Executive Counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue.

Here's the language of the amendment:

Allows the state to save taxpayer funds through multiyear real estate rental agreements.

Senate Resolution No. 84
Act No. 761
Ga. L. 2012, p. 1363
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for a reduction in the state's operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize certain state agencies to enter into multiyear rental agreements?"

This proposal authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the State Properties Commission, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Labor to enter into rental agreements for the possession and use of real property without obligating present funds for the full amount of obligation the state may bear under the full term of any such rental agreement. Any such agreement shall provide for the termination of the agreement in the event of insufficient funds.

The General Assembly has enacted a law to exercise the authority granted by the proposed constitutional amendment to provide for multiyear rental agreements for real property. This law will become effective only if the constitutional amendment is ratified by voters. This law is published at Georgia Laws 2012, p. 989, and was enacted by Senate Bill 37, Act No. 717, 2012.

Tags: election, constitutional amendment, state leases, Josh Belinfonte